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Yesterday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek directed the Oregon DMV to stop issuing undercover license plates to ICE agents, who have repeatedly flouted state and federal laws.
Oregon Halts Issue of Undercover License Plates to ICE
Due to repeated violations of state and federal law by ICE agents, and the need to protect community trust and public safety, Governor Kotek directed the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicles Service (DMV) to stop issuing undercover license plates to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Masked and unidentified ICE agents, operating in unmarked vehicles, have terrorized communities in Oregon and across the nation, resulting in chaos, violence, and even death.
Undercover license plates- unlike federal government vehicles that typically use plates that identify them as part of the federal government’s vehicle fleet- have increased this risk.
The Governor indicated that non-undercover license plates will not increase the risk of “doxing,” as individual agents are not tied to agency vehicle registrations.
Governor Kotek noted that, “ICE agents have repeatedly engaged in illegitimate activities, causing unwarranted chaos, sowing fear, and damaging the relationship between law enforcement and our communities.”
Currently, 45 federal agencies participate in the program under ORS 805.060 that allows the Oregon DMV to issue undercover plates to eligible state, local, and federal agencies. About 1,260 undercover plates are in circulation.
Tidings Data Snapshot
Oregon Undercover Plates By The NumbersSource: Oregon Governor’s Office undercover license plate announcementDailyTidings.com
Pending a review of compliance with state law, the Oregon DMV paused the issuing of new undercover plates to all federal agencies on April 15, 2026.
The Oregon DMV will now:
- Continue withholding new undercover plates from ICE.
- Resume issuing plates to federal agencies that do not primarily conduct immigration enforcement and are not violating Oregon law.
- Maintain regular undercover plate access for state and local law enforcement, which has continued and remains unaffected by today’s action.
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